Non-Δ⁹tetrahydrocannabinol phytocannabinoids stimulate feeding in rats

Abstract

Cannabinoid type 1 receptor-mediated appetite stimulation by Δ⁹tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹THC) is well understood. Recently, it has become apparent that non-Δ⁹THC phytocannabinoids could also alter feeding patterns. Here, we show definitively that non-Δ⁹THC phytocannabinoids stimulate feeding. Twelve male, Lister-Hooded rats were prefed to satiety prior to administration of a standardized cannabis extract or to either of two mixtures of pure phytocannabinoids (extract analogues) comprising the phytocannabinoids present in the same proportions as the standardized extract (one with and one without Δ⁹THC). Hourly intake and meal pattern data were recorded and analysed using two-way analysis of variance followed by one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Administration of both extract analogues significantly increased feeding behaviours over the period of the test. All three agents increased hour-one intake and meal-one size and decreased the latency to feed, although the zero-Δ⁹THC extract analogue did so to a lesser degree than the high-Δ⁹THC analogue. Furthermore, only the analogue containing Δ⁹THC significantly increased meal duration. The data confirm that at least one non-Δ⁹THC phytocannabinoid induces feeding pattern changes in rats, although further trials using individual phytocannabinoids are required to fully understand the observed effects.